It's just that they have money.

Since he wasn't particularly busy, Wang Zengping led Fang Chen on a tour of the office, explaining every aspect from the script, storyboards, and casting to the sets, costumes, props, and post-production plans.

Fang Chen listened attentively, occasionally asking a question or two. He wasn't an expert, but he wasn't a complete novice either.

Wang Zengping's attitude gradually changed. At first, he was just being perfunctory, but later he became more and more detailed, even revealing all the difficulties the project was facing.

"I've been preparing for this project for two years." Wang Zengping stood in front of a whiteboard covered with various timelines and flowcharts. "The script was revised three times, and we talked to the actors several times. We finally got things set up, but then the investors withdrew."

He pointed to the storyboards on the wall, his voice a little hoarse.

"I'm not bragging, but I can't guarantee the box office performance of this film, though I'm confident in its quality. But right now, nothing we say matters; without money, everything is pointless."

Fang Chen stared at the drawings on the wall, his mind racing.

Before he came, he checked Wang Zengping's past resume. He was very famous in the field of TV dramas, but after he switched to making movies, his works received a mediocre response.

Producing TV series and making movies is essentially a career change.

According to Wang Zengping, although this film is a commercial film, making money is the second priority.

This must be his masterpiece, the one he hopes to use to turn his career around.

Fang Chen spoke.

"Uncle Wang, I have a question for you."

"you say."

"If you had the money to finish filming this project now, what do you see as the biggest risk?"

Wang Zengping thought for a moment and said, "Box office."

"Box office is the result, not the risk," Fang Chen said. "The risk is that after filming, nobody will know."

Wang Zengping was stunned for a moment.

Fang Chen continued, "You've been in this industry for over twenty years; your skills are fine, and your connections are great. But how many distribution channels do you have for the TV dramas and commercial films you've made before?"

Wang Zengping fell silent.

In the past, when he filmed TV dramas, regardless of whether they could be broadcast on satellite TV channels, he could always sell the dramas by relying on his connections in the industry.

Even if we don't make money, breaking even shouldn't be a problem.

But movies are different.

There are examples of excellent films achieving success through word of mouth, but more often than not, films receive excellent reviews but still flop at the box office.

Not to mention that every year, the number of films that are not released in theaters far exceeds the number of films that are released in theaters.

In the best-case scenario, they'll only be able to sell to Princess Six at a low price; in the worst-case scenario, no one will be willing to buy it even if it's on streaming platforms.

"Let me be frank," Fang Chen looked at him, "What you lack isn't just money, it's someone who can get this film out there."

The office was silent for a few seconds.

Zhao Xiaole sat beside him, her mouth slightly open, as if she wanted to say something but then swallowed it back.

Wang Zengping stubbed out his cigarette, and the look in his eyes as he looked at Fang Chen changed.

"you mean?"

"What I mean is, I can invest some money to solve your immediate problem, but I'm not just going to invest money," Fang Chen said calmly. "After I invest this money, I'll coordinate the resources for the film's promotion and distribution."

Wang Zengping stared at him for two seconds.

Do you have connections in the film and television industry?

"Not now," Fang Chen said, "but I will."

That's an arrogant statement.

But Wang Zengping found it hard to refuse.

The investment that Fang Chen promised is crucial for completing the project.

"You might think I'm just making empty promises," Fang Chen continued, "but I'm investing 23 million in this. If it doesn't turn out well, I'll be the one who loses money, not you."

Wang Zengping remained silent for a long time.

He picked up the pack of cigarettes from the table, took one out, lit it, and took a deep drag.

Smoke slowly rose between the three of them.

"Mr. Fang, what exactly do you mean by 'publicity and distribution resources'?"

Fang Chen thought for a moment and said, "I can't give you a specific plan right now because I haven't joined the game yet."

He paused.

"But I'm not just investing in your project; I'm going to work on the entire chain."

After listening, Wang Zengping remained silent for a long time.

There was another cigarette butt in the ashtray.

This sounds like a damn con artist spouting nonsense, but he really needs this investment.

"Okay. What are your conditions?"

Fang Chen thought for a moment and said, "Two conditions."

"explain."

"First, this money is considered an investment, and we'll take a share of the box office revenue according to market practice. I don't want a fixed percentage; I want a tiered system where the higher the box office, the lower my share. If you do well, you take the lion's share."

Wang Zengping frowned: "What exactly is this tiered method?"

"If the box office is less than 100 million, I'll take 30%; if it's more than 100 million but less than 200 million, I'll take 20%; if it's more than 200 million, I'll take 10%. Of course, this is just an example; the specific figures and percentages can be discussed further."

Wang Zengping's face remained expressionless.

"Your algorithm is forcing me to go for higher performance."

"That's right," Fang Chen said. "If you do a good job, I'm fine with taking less. If you don't do a good job, it would be a loss for me to take more."

Wang Zengping nodded: "And second?"

"Put my name on the production team for this project."

Wang Zengping was stunned for a moment.

Zhao Xiaole was also taken aback.

"Do you know anything about film production?" Wang Zengping asked.

"I don't understand," Fang Chen said. "But I don't need to understand. Having my name on the production label doesn't mean I have to get involved in the specifics. I just need a title, a way to have a voice in this industry."

"Mr. Fang, do you know what it means to be listed as a producer?"

"I understand," Fang Chen said. "It means that I will be held responsible for any problems that arise in this project."

"Then why are you still hanging up?"

"It is precisely because you have to take responsibility that you are entitled to share the profits." Fang Chen's tone was very calm. "Uncle Wang, I'm not here to reap the benefits. Just because I'm listed as the producer doesn't mean I'm going to interfere with your creative process. How the script is revised, how the actors are directed, how the shots are filmed—I don't understand these things, and I won't interfere."

He paused.

"But from preparation to release, all contracts, all funding, and all external collaborations for this film have to go through me, the producer. This isn't to obstruct you, but to reassure the investors. With 23 million invested, someone has to be responsible for their money."

He was nominally the producer, but if Fang Chen really wanted to interfere, he had no way to stop him.

But he had no choice.

I've talked to many investors before, but I haven't been able to reach an agreement with any of them.

Fang Chen was even the only one willing to invest money first.

If they don't accept, the project will truly fail. The initial investment of twelve million will go down the drain, two years of hard work will be wasted, the team will disband, and they will never be able to get back together.

Wang Zengping picked up the pack of cigarettes from the table, took one out, and lit it.

Smoke rose slowly.

"Mr. Fang, I accept your terms. You'll be credited as the producer, and we'll split the profits in tiers. We can discuss the specific percentages later."